Last Updated on June 8, 2023 by Beth Skwarecki
Kratom is a natural substance derived from the leaves of the Mitragyna speciose tree, which grows in Southeast Asia. It has been used for centuries for its medicinal and recreational properties. Recently, it has become increasingly popular in the United States as a natural remedy for pain, anxiety, and other health conditions.
However, as with any substance, there are concerns about its potential to be abused and its effects on the body. One way to monitor the use of kratom is through drug testing, which can detect the presence of substances in the body. In this article, does kratom show up on drug tests we will explore whether kratom shows up on drug tests and other related topics.
What Is Kratom
Kratom is a tropical evergreen tree that is native to Southeast Asia, specifically in countries such as Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia. The tree’s scientific name is Mitragyna speciosa, and it belongs to the coffee family.
When ingested, Kratom leaves contain active compounds, such as mitragynine and 7-hydroxy mitragynine, which have analgesic, stimulant, and sedative effects. Kratom is typically consumed by chewing the leaves, brewing them into a tea, or using them to make capsules or extracts.
There are different strains of kratom, which are distinguished by their color and the effects they produce. For example, white vein kratom is known for its energizing effects, while red vein kratom is known for its pain-relieving properties. Kratom is legal in many countries, but it is a controlled substance in some places due to its potential for abuse and dependence.
How Drug Tests Work
Drug tests detect the presence of drugs or their metabolites (the byproducts that the body produces when it breaks down drugs) in a person’s body. There are several types of drug tests, including urine, blood, saliva, and hair tests. Each type of test has different detection windows, which is the amount of time a drug or its metabolites can be detected in the body after use.
When a person ingests a drug, it is absorbed into their bloodstream and metabolized by their liver. The drug and its metabolites are then excreted from the body through urine, sweat, or other bodily fluids. Drug tests can detect the presence of these substances by analyzing a sample of the person’s urine, blood, saliva, or hair.
Most drug tests use immunoassay technology, which involves antibodies to detect drugs or their metabolites in a sample. If the test is positive, it is usually followed up with a confirmatory test, such as gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), which can accurately identify the specific drug and rule out false positives.
Does Kratom Show Up on a Drug Test?
The answer to does kratom show up on a drug test depends on the test used and when the person last consumed kratom.
- Urine Tests: The most common drug test to detect recent drug use. Kratom is not typically included in standard drug panels, so it is not usually tested unless specifically requested. However, some specialty drug testing companies may offer kratom-specific tests, which can detect the presence of kratom metabolites in the urine.
- Blood Tests: Blood tests can also detect the presence of drugs, but they have a shorter detection window than urine tests. Kratom is detectable in the blood for only a few hours after consumption, so it is unlikely to be detected in a blood test after that time.
- Saliva Tests: Saliva tests are less commonly used than urine and blood tests but can detect recent drug use. Kratom is not typically included in standard saliva drug panels, but specialty tests can detect kratom in saliva.
- Hair Tests: Hair tests are the least common type of drug test but can detect drug use over a longer time. Kratom is not typically included in standard hair drug panels but can be seen in hair samples if specifically tested for.
How Long Does Kratom Stay In Your System?
The duration that kratom stays in a person’s system can vary depending on several factors, such as the amount and frequency of use, the person’s metabolism, and the type of drug test used. Urine tests are the most common test used to detect kratom use, and the detection window for kratom in urine is usually around 1-9 days.
Blood tests can detect kratom for a shorter period than urine tests, but the detection window may be longer for chronic users. Saliva tests have a shorter detection window than urine tests, and kratom can typically be detected in saliva for up to 24 hours after use. Hair tests can detect the presence of kratom for up to 90 days after use, making them the longest detection window of any drug test.
FAQs
Conclusion
The duration that kratom stays in a person’s system can vary depending on several factors, such as the amount and frequency of use, the person’s metabolism, and the type of drug test used. Urine tests are the most common test used to detect kratom use, and the detection window for kratom in urine is usually around 1-9 days. Blood tests can detect kratom for a shorter period than urine tests, but the detection window may be longer for chronic users. Saliva tests have a shorter detection window than urine tests, and kratom can typically be detected in saliva for up to 24 hours after use. Hair tests can detect the presence of kratom for up to 90 days after use, making them the longest detection window of any drug test.
Beth is Cloudmineinc’s senior health editor and a certified personal trainer. She has over 10 years experience as a science journalist and is the author of two books. She deadlifts over 315 lbs.